METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONVEYING POLYMERIC OBLATES TO CASTING MACHINES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for conveying of pre-printed polymer oblates, which are e.g. produced in a so-called flexo printing machine and supplied in a roller, to a casting machine such as an injection press that moulds items such as cups or lids, where the oblates will be integrated in the items.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to an apparatus which is suitable for conveying rolled-up printed polymer oblates.

[0003] The invention furthermore relates to the use of the apparatus.

[0004] It is commonly known to incorporate pre-printed polymer oblates in items such as cups or lids with a view to give the items a trusted and qualitatively attractive exterior.

[0005] This technology is typically used for items such as cups and lids as food packaging where items are manufactured in an injection press in which the pre-printed oblate is conveyed to the injection press and thereby integrated into the workpiece when it is moulded.

[0006] A pre-printed polymer oblate which is integrated into an item that is injection casted is often referred to as a Inmould Label abbreviated IML.

[0007] IML is a plastic film which is typically printed in a so-called flexo printing machine. After printing, a film is laminated onto the product in order to confine the pressure since the material, as mentioned earlier, is often used for packaging in the food industry.

[0008] The currently known technology and the method of handling the IML for the conveyance of the oblates to a moulding machine such as an injection press typically comprise the following:
Following lamination, the product is punched with a contour that is matched to the application. After punching, the remaining grid is rolled-up or removed by suction. The individual products are supplied in layers on a conveyor. At this stage of production, the individual products are heavily charged with static electricity, which makes it impossible to assemble products in an acceptable stack for the injection press.

[0009] Static electricity occurs when the products are punched out of the web. A lot of effort is put into preventing this condition; for example by adding charged ions to the web before punching. However, this is not sufficient to prevent the static electricity.

[0010] From the supply conveyor, the products are stacked to the extent possible - and placed on pallets which are then stocked. After a couple of days, the static electricity is minimised, and the pallet is retrieved. It is now possible to create proper stacks that can be used for injection casting.

[0011] The IML stack is placed in a magasine. A handling robot collects an IML by means of vacuum and places it in the injection moulding tool. Here, it is necessary to supply static electricity to the IML so that it can hook onto the tool until this is closed and ready for moulding.

[0012] The print shop has striven to eliminate static electricity from IML, whereas static electricity must be supplied to the IML during the moulding process to enable the IML to attach itself to the moulding tool. The fact that the print shop has removed static electricity relatively efficiently, makes it hard to reload the IML.

[0013] Another method is to cut the web into sheets. This way, it is possible to create a stack; however, the air between the sheets must be pressed out before storage. In a so-called guillotine, the products are cut into squares. Each stack is pressed through a "sausage roller" into the final shape. This method is problematic, however, since the products tend to coalesce along the edge.
The currently known and most widely used technology has some drawbacks including the following:

• It requires a lot of labour and resources to produce a stack of IML oblates
• Cutting out the individual IML generates a relatively large amount of waste material
• It is difficult and costly to manage static electricity
• The initial investment in equipment for the production of IML is relatively large and often constitutes up to one million Euros.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method for handling IML without the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide an apparatus which is suitable for implementing the method.

[0014] The object of the invention is achieved by a method as defined in claim 1 and by a device as claimed in claim 2.

[0015] In this way, it becomes possible to use pre-printed polymer oblates (IML) without first having to cut them free and stack them, whereby production costs and the initially required investments are reduced by up to 90%.

[0016] The device, which preamble is based upon FR-A-828009, makes it possible to convey oblates, including IML, directly from a roller to the tool where e.g. a robot can remove the individual oblates, without prior loosening and stacking, and transfer them to an injection press.
This achieves hitherto unattainable savings in equipment and production costs.
Several appropriate embodiments of the device are shown in claims 3 to 6. The invention relates, as mentioned before, to the use of the device according to one or more of claims 2 to 6 for conveying the pre-printed, semi-punched polymer oblates from a roller to a robot that tears off the individual oblates from the roller and transfers them to an injection press, which moulds items such as cups or lids onto which the oblates are integrated during the injection press, as indicated by the method described in claim 1.
Using the specific application, the method of claim 1 is efficiently implemented by the apparatus according to one or more of claims 2 to 6.

[0017] The invention will now be explained more further with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus which is suitable for conveying rolled-up, pre-printed polymer oblates (IML).

Fig. 2 shows, just as Fig. 1, the same apparatus which is suitable for conveying rolled-up, pre-printed polymer oblates (IML), but from a different angle.

[0018] Fig. 1 denotes, as 1 shows, an apparatus which is suitable for conveying rolled-up, pre-printed polymer oblates (IML), which are partially punched, as indicated, by a process which includes that the oblates are semi-punched so that they remain attached to the roller in the bridges, according to which the roller with the semi-punched oblates are placed in an apparatus 1 from which the roller with the oblates is rolled out in stages, feeding the oblates through a tool 5, which consists of an upper and lower part with holes 9 which are shaped to fit the circumference of the oblates, after which an oblate is removed with a unit such as a robot with vacuum suction that tears over the bridges that fix the oblates to the roller and transfers the oblates to the injection press.

[0019] In a preferred processing method, the tool 5 is prepared so that the upper part and the lower part with holes 9 are clamped around the film web with oblates for the fixation of the film before the tearing off of an oblate.

[0020] The apparatus 1 comprises an unwinder 10 for attaching a roller of oblates from which the rolled-up oblates are conveyed through a tool 5 that is formed with holes 9 which are shaped to fit the circumference of the oblates.

[0021] In a preferred processing method as shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2, the apparatus is further characterised in a splice table 2 being positioned between the unwinder 10 and the tool 5, which the rolled-up oblates pass after the unwinder 10 from which the rolled-up oblates are conveyed past a so-called web guide 3, and then past a delivery board 4 that guides the rolled-up oblates for positioning through the tool 5

[0022] As shown in fig. 1 and fig. 2, the apparatus 1 is also fitted with a feeder 6, which can advance the rolled-up oblates through the apparatus 1, where the feeder 6 is positioned after the tool 5.

[0023] The apparatus 1 also contains a buffer system 8 which comprises a plurality of spring-loaded rollers to compensate for pulling the rolled-up oblates.

[0024] The buffer system reduces the instantaneous characteristics of the rolled-up oblates when they are advanced by the feeder 6.

[0025] Figures 1 and 2 show that the apparatus 1 also comprises a winder 7 for rolling up roller residue after removal of oblates.

[0026] As stated, the invention comprises the use of said apparatus 1 for conveying pre-printed, semi-punched polymer oblates from a roller to a robot that tears off the individual oblates from the roller and transfers them to an injection press that moulds items such as cups or lids where the oblates are integrated into the injection press.

Claims

1. A method for conveying of pre-printed polymer oblates (IML), which are e.g. produced in a so-called flexo printing machine and supplied in a roller, to a casting machine such as an injection press that moulds items such as cups or lids, where the oblates will be integrated in the items comprising semi-punching of the oblates such that they remain attached to the roller in the connection points or bridges, wherein the roller with the oblates is subsequently rolled out in stages, such that the oblates pass through a tool (5) with holes (9) that are shaped to comply to the oblate form, after which an oblate is removed with a robot that uses vacuum suction to tear over the bridges that hold the oblates onto the roller and then transfers the oblates to the injection press.

2. Device (1) that is suitable for conveying rolled-up, pre-printed polymer oblates, which are partially punched as indicated in the method according to claim 1, wherein the device (1) includes an unwinder (10) for attaching a roller of a film web with oblates from which the rolled-up oblates are fed through a tool (5) that contains holes (9) which are shaped to fit the circumference of the oblates, characterized in that the device comprises a robot with vacuum suction for tearing over the bridges that fix the oblates to the roller and for transferring the oblates to the injection press and a tool consisting of an upper part and an lower part with holes (9) clamped around the film web with oblates for the fixation of the film web before the tearing off of an oblate with the robot.

3. Device (1) according to claim 2 which is characterized in a splice-table (2) being placed between the unwinder (10) and the tool (5) after which in use the rolled-up oblates pass after the unwinder (10) from which the rolled-up oblates are conveyed past a web guide (3) and then past a delivery board (4) that feeds the rolled-up oblates for positioning through the tool (5).

4. Device (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in the fact that the apparatus (1) is provided with a feeder (6) which can pull rolled oblates forward through the device (1), and wherein the feeder (6) is placed after the tool (5).

5. Device (1) which, according to one of claims 2 to 4, is characterised in that the device (1) includes a buffer system (8) that contains a number of rollers for equalisation of traction in rolled-up oblates.

6. Device (1), which, according to one of claims 2 to 5, is characterised in that the device (1) includes a winder (7) for rolling-up roller residue after removal of oblates.

7. Method according to claim 1 using a device as defined in one of claims 2-6.

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zum Transport von vorgedruckten Polymeroblaten (IML), die z.B in einer so genannten Flexodruckmaschine hergestellt und in Rollen geliefert werden, zu einer Druckgussmaschine wie etwa einer Spritzgießmaschine, die Gegenstände wie Becher oder Deckel formt, wobei die Oblaten in die Gegenstände integriert werden, die das teilweise Ausstanzen der Oblaten umfassen, sodass sie an den Verbindungsstellen oder Brücken an der Rolle haften bleiben, wobei die Rolle mit den Oblaten anschließend stufenweise ausgerollt wird, sodass die Oblaten ein Werkzeug (5) mit Löchern (9) durchlaufen, die eine der Filmform angepasste Form aufweisen, wonach eine Oblate mit einem Roboter entnommen wird, der ihn durch Vakuumansaugung über die Brücken, die die Oblaten auf der Rolle halten, abreißt und danach die Oblaten in die Spritzgießmaschine überführt.

2. Vorrichtung (1), die zum Transport von aufgerollten, vorgedruckten Polymeroblaten geeignet ist, die wie im Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 angegeben teilweise ausgestanzt sind, wobei die Vorrichtung (1) einen Abwickler (10) zum Anbringen einer Rolle einer Folienbahn mit Oblaten aufweist, von dem die aufgerollten Oblaten durch ein Werkzeug (5) geleitet werden, das Löcher (9) aufweist, deren Form dem Umfang der Oblaten angepasst ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung einen Roboter mit Vakuumansaugung zum Abreißen über den die Oblaten an der Rolle fixierenden Brücken und zur Überführung der Oblaten in die Spritzgießemaschine sowie ein Werkzeug, das aus einem oberen Teil und einem unteren Teil mit Löchern (9) besteht, die die Folienbahn mit Oblaten einklemmen, um die Folienbahn vor dem Abreißen eines breitrunden Films mit dem Roboter zu fixieren, umfasst.

3. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 2, gekennzeichnet durch einen Schneidetisch (2), der sich zwischen dem Abwickler (10) und dem Werkzeug (5) befindet, wonach bei Verwendung die aufgerollten breitrunden Filme den Abwickler (10) durchlaufen, von wo aus die aufgerollten Oblaten über eine Bahnführung (3) und danach auf einen Ablagetisch (4), der die aufgerollten Oblaten zur Positionierung durch das Werkzeug (5) leitet, transportiert werden.

4. Vorrichtung (1) nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, gekennzeichnet durch die Tatsache, dass die Vorrichtung (1) mit einer Speiseleitung (6) versehen ist, die eingerollte Oblaten vorwärts durch die Vorrichtung (1) ziehen kann, und wobei die Speiseleitung (6) hinter dem Werkzeug (5) platziert ist.

5. Vorrichtung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung (1) ein Puffersystem (8) aufweist, das eine Reihe von Rollen zum Ausgleich der Zugkraft in den aufgerollten Oblaten aufweist.

6. Vorrichtung (1) nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung (1) einen Aufwickler (7) zum Aufrollen der Rollenreste nach Entfernen der Oblaten aufweist.

7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, das eine Vorrichtung nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 6 verwendet.

Revendications

1. Procédé pour transporter des éléments polymères préimprimés aplatis (IML), qui sont par exemple réalisés dans ce qu'il est convenu d'appeler une machine d'impression flexographique et acheminés en un rouleau, à une fondeuse telle qu'une presse à mouler par injection qui moule des articles tels que des récipients ou des couvercles, où les éléments aplatis seront intégrés dans les articles, comprenant un semi-matriçage des éléments aplatis de sorte qu'ils restent fixés au rouleau aux endroits de liaison ou aux ponts, dans lequel le rouleau avec les éléments aplatis est ensuite déroulé par étapes, de sorte que les éléments aplatis passent par un outil (5) comportant des trous (9) qui sont configurés pour épouser la forme des éléments aplatis; après quoi, un élément aplati est retiré avec un robot qui utilise une aspiration pour arracher les ponts qui maintiennent les éléments aplatis sur le rouleau et transfère ensuite les éléments aplatis à la presse de moulage par injection.

2. Dispositif (1) qui est approprié pour le transport d'éléments polymères préimprimés aplatis en rouleau, qui ont été soumis à un matriçage partiel comme indiqué dans le procédé selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le dispositif (1) comprend un dérouleur (10) pour fixer un rouleau d'une bande de film comprenant des éléments aplatis, à partir duquel les éléments aplatis en rouleau sont alimentés à travers un outil (5) qui contient des trous (9) qui sont configurés pour correspondre à la circonférence des éléments aplatis, caractérisé en ce que le dispositif comprend un robot du type à aspiration pour arracher les ponts qui fixent les éléments aplatis au rouleau et pour transférer les éléments aplatis à la presse de moulage par injection, et un outil constitué par une partie supérieure et une partie inférieure comprenant des trous (9) fixés autour de la bande de film comprenant des éléments aplatis pour la fixation de la bande de film avant l'arrachage d'un élément aplati avec le robot.

3. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 2 qui est caractérisé par une table de jointage (2) placée entre le dérouleur (10) et l'outil (5) ; après quoi, en état de marche, les éléments aplatis en rouleau passent au-delà du dérouleur (10) à partir duquel les éléments aplatis en rouleau sont transportés le long d'un guide de bande (3) et ensuite au-delà d'un plateau de distribution (4) qui alimente les éléments aplatis en rouleau pour leur positionnement à travers l'outil (5).

4. Dispositif (1) selon la revendication 2 ou 3, caractérisé par le fait que l'appareil (1) est muni d'un dispositif d'alimentation (6) qui peut tirer les éléments aplatis enroulés vers l'avant à travers le dispositif (1), et dans lequel le dispositif d'alimentation (6) est placé après l'outil (5).

5. Dispositif (1) qui, selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 4, est caractérisé en ce que le dispositif (1) englobe un système de tampon (8) qui contient un certain nombre de rouleaux pour l'égalisation de la traction dans les éléments aplatis en rouleau.

6. Dispositif (1) qui, selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 5, est caractérisé en ce que le dispositif (1) comprend un enrouleur (7) pour l'enroulement du rouleau qui subsiste après le retrait des éléments aplatis.

7. Procédé selon la revendication 1, utilisant un dispositif tel que défini dans l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 6.

Drawing